EP1573283B1 - Weight checking method and apparatus - Google Patents
Weight checking method and apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1573283B1 EP1573283B1 EP03786119A EP03786119A EP1573283B1 EP 1573283 B1 EP1573283 B1 EP 1573283B1 EP 03786119 A EP03786119 A EP 03786119A EP 03786119 A EP03786119 A EP 03786119A EP 1573283 B1 EP1573283 B1 EP 1573283B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- items
- container
- weight
- conveyor
- product
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 20
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 claims description 27
- 238000005303 weighing Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 235000011888 snacks Nutrition 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 235000010675 chips/crisps Nutrition 0.000 description 20
- 238000000638 solvent extraction Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000001186 cumulative effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000002595 Solanum tuberosum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000061456 Solanum tuberosum Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000003491 array Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004364 calculation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000019504 cigarettes Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000013606 potato chips Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01G—WEIGHING
- G01G15/00—Arrangements for check-weighing of materials dispensed into removable containers
Definitions
- This invention relates to a method for determining the quantity of items packed in a container in order to ascertain whether a desired quantity of the items is present in the container.
- Check weighers for use on production lines are well known. They are typically used to confirm that the quantity of items packed into a container is correct.
- One such system has a conveyor suspended on a load cell which produces a signal indicative of the weight of the container on the conveyor. Each packed container passes over this weighing conveyor before reaching the end of the line so that the quantity of items packed in the container can be confirmed to be the desired quantity.
- crisp or potato chip packets are commonly supplied in cardboard containers of 48 individual packets and each individual packet weighs 30 grams.
- the check weigher will know that the correct quantity of crisp packets have been packed into the cardboard container if the nett weight is equal to the product of 48 packets and 30 grams, i.e. 1.44 kilograms.
- each of these crisp packets has a weight tolerance of 1 gram.
- the cumulative tolerance of 48 packets of crisps means that the actual nett weight of the packed cardboard container is 1440 grams ⁇ 48 grams. This deviation of 48 grams is greater than the weight of an individual packet and so there is a possibility that either containers may be shipped with one too many or one too few packets of crisps or alternatively containers with the correct number of individual packets are rejected.
- a check weigher that can accurately determine the quantity of items packed into a container on an automatic production line.
- EP-A-0605164 describes a weight checker-sorter that successively weighs products each expected to contain a specified number of articles all weighing about the same, and uses a standard weight value (W b ) to determine whether weighed products each contains the intended number of articles.
- US-A-6396002 describes a method of and apparatus for monitoring the contents of containers such as cartons containing arrays of cigarette packets in which successive containers are supplied to a weighing device, the resultant weight signals being compared with a reference signal. If the difference between the two signals exceeds a preselected value then the respective container is expelled from the feed path.
- a method for determining the quantity of items in a container, each item having the same nominal weight located between upper and lower weight limits comprising:
- the invention provides a method for determining the quantity of items transferred to a container that is not affected by the cumulative weight tolerance of all the items that are transferred to the container.
- step (a) involves attempting to pack the predetermined quantity of the items in the container and step (b) involves measuring the weight of the actual quantity of items packed in the container in step (a).
- steps (a) to (c) are repeated until the sum of the predetermined quantities of step (a) of each repetition equals a specified quantity (typically corresponding to a "full" container).
- a specified quantity typically corresponding to a "full" container.
- step (b) is measured using a check weigher and this will preferably form part of a production line.
- a production line will normally include an upstream packaging machine.
- the items packed in the container are packets of snack foods.
- step (c) If the actual quantity determined in step (c) is different from the predetermined quantity of step (a) then the container may be conveyed to a reject location, for example a reject conveyor belt.
- a reject location for example a reject conveyor belt.
- step (c) if the actual quantity determined in step (c) is less than the predetermined quantity of step (a) then additional items may be packed in the container so that it does contain the predetermined quantity of items.
- step (c) if the actual quantity determined in step (c) is more than the predetermined quantity of step (a) then the surplus items may be removed from the container so that it contains the predetermined quantity of items.
- apparatus for determining the quantity of items in a container, each item having the same nominal weight located between upper and lower weight limits comprising:
- the transfer system is a vacuum head and, in this case, the weighing system may be incorporated in the vacuum head.
- the weighing system may be incorporated in a conveyor system that supports the container in use.
- the items are supplied to the transfer system by an infeed conveyor system for holding and conveying a group of items in a conveyance-direction, the infeed conveyor system comprising:
- the transfer system transfers the group of items at the discharge position by pushing in a direction of the width of said first conveyance member.
- Figure 1 shows part of a production line used for packaging packets of snack foods, such as crisps.
- the production line comprises an infeed conveyor 1, a weighing conveyor 2 and an outfeed conveyor 3.
- the weighing conveyor 2 is supported on rollers 4a, 4b which are mounted on a support frame 20. This bears upon a load cell 21 which produces signals indicative of the weight suspended on conveyor 2 and supplies these to controller 22.
- An empty container 5 ready for packing is held on infeed conveyor 1 whilst container 6 is packed as it is conveyed along weighing conveyor 2.
- a fully packed container 7 is conveyed away from weighing conveyor 2 by outfeed conveyor 3.
- the packets of snack foods are packed into container 6 using vacuum head 8 in a conventional way.
- the packets of snack foods are crisp packets and the containers 5, 6, 7 are each intended to hold forty eight individual crisp packets. These packets have been filled by a packaging machine (not shown) controlled to ensure that each packet has a weight of 30 grams with a tolerance of ⁇ 1 gram.
- Vacuum head 8 places eight packets of crisps into container 6 in one cycle. However, there is a possibility that too few packets will be packed by mistake.
- the quantity n of crisp packets packed into the container in one cycle by vacuum head 8 is selected such that the product of (n+1) and the lower weight limit of a crisp packet exceeds the product of n and the upper weight limit and such that the product of n and the lower weight limit of a crisp packet exceeds the product of (n-1) and the upper weight limit.
- the upper and lower weight limits are 31 and 29 grams respectively and so setting n equal to eight satisfies both of the above criteria.
- controller 22 When the vacuum head 8 has released the crisp packets into container 6, the weight of the container 6 is measured and load cell 21 provides a signal indicative of this weight to controller 22. Controller 22 then divides the value of the weight of the crisp packets, allowing for the tare of container 6, by the nominal weight of a crisp packet (i.e. 30 grams). The actual quantity of crisp packets placed in the container by vacuum head 8 during that cycle can then be obtained by rounding the result of this division to the nearest integer. This cycle is repeated six times so that at the end of the process, container 6 should contain forty eight packets of crisps.
- the controller 22 can detect this. This can be done in one of two ways. Firstly the controller 22 can add together the actual quantities of crisp packets packed in container 6 during each cycle and indicate an error if this total does not equal forty eight after all six cycles have been completed. Alternatively, the controller 22 can indicate an error as soon as it detects that only seven packets have been packed in the current cycle.
- FIG. 2 Apparatus for enabling this is shown in Figure 2 in which the outfeed conveyor 3 leads to a moveable conveyor 10 which can direct containers either to conveyor 11a which forms a continuation of the main production line, or to reject conveyor 11b where the rejected containers can be dealt with appropriately.
- Moveable conveyor 10 is moved between its two positions using hydraulic ram 12 which is actuated by controller 22.
- a double loop conveyance apparatus is used.
- Such a conveyance apparatus is described in our European patent application, published as EP-A-1298079, which is herein incorporated by reference in it entirety.
- the conveyance apparatus 101 is employed in a boxing line as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
- This boxing line 100 is for compactly boxing items X...X, which are preferably food items such as potato chips packaged in bags.
- the boxing line 100 includes a loading conveyor 102, a discharge device (unloading apparatus) 103, and an unloading conveyor 104.
- the loading conveyor 102 is disposed on the upper-stream side of the conveyance apparatus 101.
- the loading conveyor 102 conveys items X...X from an apparatus on the further upper-stream side (for instance, a bag-manufacturing packaging apparatus) in a direction shown as arrow "a" and loads the items X...X onto the conveyance apparatus 101 at a loading position P1.
- the discharge device 103 is disposed on a side of the downstream side of the conveyance apparatus 101.
- the discharge device 103 discharges the items X...X, which are conveyed by the conveyance apparatus 101 in the direction shown as arrow "b," at the discharge position P2 in the direction shown as arrow "c" towards the other side of the conveyance apparatus 101.
- the unloading conveyor 104 conveys cardboard boxes Y...Y, which are disposed on the side of the unloading conveyor 104 and in which the discharged items X...X are boxed at the boxing position P3, further downstream as shown in the arrow "d.”
- First photoelectric sensors (example of detecting device) 105 are disposed near the end of the loading conveyor 102 such that the loading conveyor 102 is in between the first photoelectric sensors 105.
- the first photoelectric sensors 105 detect the items X...X to be loaded onto the conveyance apparatus 101, and sends a detection signal to a control unit 161 shown in Figure 9.
- a guiding table 106 is placed on the discharge path of the items X...X between the conveyance apparatus 101 and the unloading conveyor 104 to guide the items X...X into the cardboard boxes Y...Y.
- the conveyance apparatus 101 has a pair of first and second conveyors (conveyance member) 111 and 112, and a pair of first and second driving devices 111' and 112'.
- the first and second conveyors are disposed on the left and right sides so as to be parallel with the conveyance direction of the items X...X shown as arrow "b."
- the first conveyor 111 has toothed rollers 113 and 114 which are disposed on the front and rear, and a first conveyance belt 115 which is annular, toothed, and wound around the rollers 113 and 114.
- the second conveyor 112 has toothed rollers 116 and 117 which are disposed on the front and rear, and a second conveyance belt 118 which is annular, toothed, and wound around the rollers 116 and 117.
- the first and second driving devices 111' and 112' are embodied by conventional devices such as motors. Since motors are well known in the art, these structures will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein. As driving force from the first and second driving devices 111' and 112' shown in Figure 9 is transmitted respectively to the front rollers 113 and 116, the conveyance belts 115 and 118 are driven independently to perform the operation.
- a first items-group holder 122 is detachably and reattachably coupled to the first conveyor belt 115 via a pair of detaching/attaching devices 124 and 124 that is disposed on front and rear.
- the first items-group holder 122 has a predetermined number (6 in the figures) of L-shaped partition members 121...121 that is disposed with a predetermined space therebetween.
- the partition members 121...121 are connected in series, with each of the partition members 121 being disposed parallel with the conveyor-width direction.
- a second items-group holder 123 is detachably and reattachably coupled to the second conveyor belt 118 via a pair of detaching/attaching devices 124 and 124 that is disposed on the front and the rear.
- the second items-group holder 123 has a predetermined number (6 in the figures) of L-shaped partition members 121...121 that is disposed with a predetermined space therebetween.
- the partition members 121...121 are connected in series, with each of the partition members 121 being disposed parallel with the conveyor-width direction.
- a predetermined number (5 in the figures) of item holders 121'...121' are formed in between adjacent partition members 121...121, such that each of the item holders 121'...121' can hold one item X.
- the partition members 121...121 are sized conveyor-widthwise to bridge over both of the conveyor belts 115 and 116.
- the first items-group holder 122 and the second items-group holder 123 have the same or similar structures.
- the coupling structure of the partition members 121...121 will be described taking the latter as an example.
- each partition member 121 has the shape of letter L in the elevational view, with a partitioning surface portion 121a and a bottom portion 121b that are sized to conform with the size of the item X to be conveyed.
- the partition members 121 except for the ones at front and rear ends, have a plurality of curved portions 121c...121c (3 on the front and 2 on the rear in the figures) formed at the front and rear of the bottom portions 121b.
- the curved portions 121c form an oval space that extends in the conveyor-width direction.
- the partition member 121 on the front end has two curved portions 121c on its rear, while the partition member 121 on the rear end has three curved portions 121c on its front.
- the second items-group holder 123 in other words the items holders 121'...121' is structured by the six partition members 121 that are connected as one unit via the curved portions 121c...121c and a plurality of (five in the figures) hinge mechanisms 126...126.
- the hinge mechanism 126 includes a pin 125 that penetrates the oval space of the curved portions 121c...121c.
- the detaching/attaching device 124 will be described similarly taking the second items-group holder 123 as an example.
- a detaching/attaching mechanism 124' is disposed in between the second items-group holder 123 and the second conveyance belt 118.
- the detaching/attaching mechanism 124' includes two of the detaching/attaching devices 124, each of which includes a hook member 131 and a receptacle 132.
- the hook member 131 includes a plate spring that is fixed to the bottom surface of the second items-group holder 123, in other words the bottom surface of the bottom portion 121b of the partition member 121.
- the hook member 131 is elongated in the conveyor-width direction.
- the receptacle 132 is fixed to the upper surface of the conveyor belt 118, and is elongated in the conveyor-width direction.
- the hook member 131 can be coupled to the receptacle 132 by coupling side portions 131a and 131b with concave portions 132a and 132b.
- the side portions 131a and 131b are formed by bending the left and right sides of the hook member 131 in different shapes.
- the concave portions 132a and 132b are formed by shaping the left and right sides of the receptacle 132 differently so as to match the shapes of the side portions 131a and 131b.
- the side portions 131a and 131b and the concave portions 132a and 132b are formed such that the left side portion 131a and the left concave portion 132a engage each other relatively shallowly, while the right side portion 131b and the right concave portion 132b engage each other relatively deeply.
- the second items-group holder 123 is supported by the front and rear detaching/attaching devices 124 and 124 of the second conveyor belt 118 in a cantilever manner.
- first items-group holder 122 The only difference between the first items-group holder 122 and the second items-group holder 123 is that the similar detaching/attaching devices 124 and 124 are disposed in between the first items-group holder 122 and the first conveyor belt 115. Accordingly, explanation of the first items-group holder 122 will be omitted.
- second photoelectric sensors 141 are placed at appropriate positions on the upstream side of the conveyance apparatus 101, such that the conveyors 111 and 112 are positioned in between the two second photoelectric sensors 141.
- the second photoelectric sensors 141 detect the number of the partitioning surface portions 121a...121a or spaces between the partitioning surface portions 121a...121a of the partitioning members 121...121 formed in the items-group holders 122 and 123 that pass the second photoelectric sensors 141.
- the discharge device 103 has the shape of a comb, which can penetrate each of the item holders 121'...121' of the items-group holders 122 and 123.
- the discharge device 103 includes a pusher member 151 and an air cylinder 152.
- the pusher member 151 pushes the items X...X held by each of the item holders 121'...121' all at the same time.
- the air cylinder 152 moves the pusher member 151 in a direction that is perpendicular to the conveyance path, in other words in the direction shown as "e” and "f.”
- the pusher member 151 can be alternatively driven by using a solenoid or a motor, instead of the air cylinder 152.
- control system of this boxing line is shown in Figure 9.
- This control system includes the control unit 161 (driving control means and memory means) that controls the boxing line overall.
- the control unit 161 includes a CPU 161a that performs various calculation processes, and a memory 161b that stores initial configuration for each item and various control parameters.
- the control unit 161 preferably includes a microcomputer with a control program that controls the first and second driving devices 111' and 112' as discussed below.
- the control unit 161 can also include other conventional components such as an input interface circuit, an output interface circuit, and storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) device and a RAM (Random Access Memory) device.
- the memory circuit stores processing results and control programs such as ones for driving control operation that are run by the processor circuit.
- control unit 161 is operatively coupled to the first and second photoelectric sensors 105 and 141, the loading conveyor 102, the first and second conveyors 111 and 112, the discharge device 103, and the unloading conveyor 104.
- the control unit 161 is capable of selectively controlling any of the components of the control system in accordance with the control program. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the precise structure and algorithms for control system can be any combination of hardware and software that will carry out the functions of the present invention.
- the CPU 161a outputs control signals to the loading conveyor 102, the first and second conveyors 111 and 112, the discharge device 103, and the unloading conveyor 104 to control driving of these devices.
- the CPU 161a receives inputs of detection signals from the first and second photoelectric sensors 105 and 141.
- the memory 161b stores control parameters such as: the timing of the intermittent driving of the first and second conveyors 111 and 112, which is detected by the first photoelectric sensors 105 at the loading position P1 for each of the items X; the number of items X...X loaded per group; the conveyance speed and the conveyance time of the first and second conveyors 111 and 112 from the loading position P1 to the discharge position P2; the moving strokes of the pusher member 151 of the discharge device 103; and the timings of the intermittent driving of the unloading conveyor 104.
- the memory 161b stores holding parameters such as the number of partitioning surface portions and the space between the partitioning surface portions for each of various models of the items-group holder.
- the CPU 161a of the control unit 161 drives the second conveyor belt 118 intermittently by a predetermined pitch, in other words by a space of the item holder 121', based on the item detection signals from the first photoelectric sensors 105.
- the loading conveyor 102 which carries the items X...X, also operates intermittently.
- the second conveyor belt 118 is stopped until a predetermined period of time elapses after the first photoelectric sensors 105 stop detecting items X. Once this predetermined period of time elapses, the second conveyor belt 118 operates only by a predetermined pitch. During this operation, the loading conveyor 102 is stopped. Next, when the second conveyor belt 118 stops, the loading conveyor 102 starts its operation. When five items X...X are supplied to the second items-group holder 123 by repeating these operations, the loading conveyor 102 stops. Then, the loading conveyor 102 repeats the aforedescribed operations when the first items-group holder 122 arrives.
- each of the item holders 121'...121' of the second items-group holder 123 is provided with one of the items X...X, such that five items X...X are supplied to and held by the item holders 121'...121' in the upright posture.
- the first items-group holder 122 which already holds five items X...X in its item holders 121'...121', arrives at the discharge position P2 after being conveyed by the first conveyor belt 115, and stops there. Then, as the pusher member 151 of the discharge device 103 moves onto the conveyance path, the items X...X held in the item holders 121'...121' are all pushed out. The items X...X are packed in the cardboard box Y compactly in the upright position at the boxing position P3 after passing the guiding table 106. (See the drawing in chain line in Figure 3.) The cardboard box Y is placed on the unloading conveyor 104 so as to oppose the discharge device 103 with the conveyance apparatus 101 therebetween.
- the first items-group holder 122 starts moving toward the loading position P1 on the first conveyor belt 115.
- the second items-group holder 123 After the first items-group holder 122 leaves the discharge position P2, the second items-group holder 123, which has items X...X in its item holders 121' ...121' arrives at the discharge position P2. Then, the items X...X are discharged from the second items-group holder 123 in the same manner as described above regarding the first items-group holder 122. In the mean time, the first items-group holder 122 receives the items X...X at the loading position P1, in the same manner as described above regarding the second items-group holder 123.
- the first conveyor 111 and the second conveyor 112 in other words the first conveyor belt 115 and the second conveyor belt 118 are driven independently. While items X...X are discharged from the first items-group holder 122 or the second items-group holder 123 at the discharge position P2, the second items-group holder 123 or the first items-group holder 122 can receive items X...X from the loading conveyor 102 at the loading position P1. By repeating such operations intermittently, it is possible to perform the conveyance of items X...X at a high speed.
- the partition members 121...121 that form the items-group holders 122 and 123 have the shape of letter L, the partition members 121...121 stand upright relative to the conveyor surface. Accordingly, there is no need for a complicated mechanism to support the items X...X in the upright position. Therefore, the structure of the conveyance apparatus can be kept simple, and its design can be simplified.
- the partition members 121...121 are connected to one another by connecting the bottom portion 121b...121b with one another via the hinge mechanisms 126...126. Therefore, the items-group holders 122 and 123 are smoothly conveyed, following the movement of the conveyor belts 115 and 118. As a result, it is possible to prevent shock during the conveyance of the items X...X. This effect is particularly evident during the high-speed operation. Furthermore, at the loading position P1, in other words where the conveyor belts 115 and 118 turn around, the spaces between the upper portions of adjacent partition surface portions 121a...121a, which are connected via the hinge mechanisms 126...126, expand. Accordingly, the items X...X can be loaded from the loading conveyor 102 onto the items-group holders 122 and 123 smoothly.
- the partition members 121...121 are connected as one unit via a plurality of hinge mechanisms 126...126, which includes the curved portions 121c...121c and the pins 125 that extend through the oval tubular spaces of the curved portions 121c...121c. These partition members 121...121 are movable in the conveyance direction relative to each other. Therefore, the items-group holders 122 and 123 can be conveyed even more smoothly by following the conveyor belts 115 and 118, which operate in a circulating manner. Particularly, the items-group holders 122 and 123 can follow the conveyor belts 115 and 118 favorably even at portions where the conveyor belts 115 and 118 turn around.
- the detaching/attaching devices 124 are installed, it is easy to detach and reattach the items-group holders 122 and 123 from and to the conveyor belts 115 and 118. Since the number of detaching/attaching devices 124 and 124 provided with each of the items-group holders 122 and 123 is fewer (two in this embodiment on the front and rear) than the number of partition members 121...121 (six in this embodiment), it is much easier to detach and attach the items-group holders than the case where each of the partition members 121...121 needs to be individually attached to and detached from the conveyor belts.
- the second items-group holder 123 can be attached to the second conveyor belt 118 easily by coupling the right side portion 131b of the hook member 131, which is a plate spring, and the right concave portion 132b of the receptacle 132 deeply first, and then coupling the left side portion 131a of the hook member 131 and the left concave portion 132a of the receptacle 132, pushing the second items-group holder 123 from above.
- the second items-group holder 123 when the second items-group holder 123 needs to be detached from the second conveyor belt 118, the second items-group holder 123 is first pulled up to disengage the engagement of the left side portion 131a of the hook member 131 and the left concave portion 132a of the receptacle 132a. Then, the right side portion 131b of the hook member 131 and the right concave portion 132b of the receptacle 132 can be disengaged from each other.
- the left side portion 131a of the hook member 131 and the left concave portion 132a of the receptacle 132 can have the same or similar structure as the right side portion 131b and the right concave portion 132b.
- the receptacle 132 is clamped tightly by the hook member 131 on both of its conveyor-width direction sides. Therefore, even during high-speed operation, the holder 123 can be supported by the conveyor belt 118 securely against the centrifugal force that occurs where the conveyor belt 118 turns around.
- the items-group holders 122 and 123 may need to be replaced with a new type of items-group holders.
- the second photoelectric sensors 141 it is possible, with the second photoelectric sensors 141, to detect the holding parameters of the items-group holders 122 and 123 such as the number of partitioning surface portions and the spaces between adjacent partitioning surface portions.
- the CPU 161a retrieves from the database stored in the memory 161b the control parameter that matches the detection signal. Then, the CPU 161a outputs driving control signals to related apparatuses such as the loading conveyor 102, the discharge device 103, the unloading conveyor 104, and the first and second conveyors 111 and 112, in other words the first and second conveyor belts 115 and 118. That is, the timings at which the loading conveyor 102 moves from the loading position P1 and at which the conveyor belts 115 and 118 move toward the discharge position P2 are thus controlled.
- the conveyance apparatus 101 is driven under conditions that are adequate for the new items-group holders. That way, operation of the conveyance apparatus 101 can be automated even further.
- the unloading conveyor 104 is supported on its own support frame (not shown) which bears upon a respective load cell (not shown). In this way, the unloading conveyor 104 of the second embodiment is supported in an identical manner to the weighing conveyor 2 of the first embodiment and operation of the load cells is identical.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
- Control Of Conveyors (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to a method for determining the quantity of items packed in a container in order to ascertain whether a desired quantity of the items is present in the container.
- Check weighers for use on production lines are well known. They are typically used to confirm that the quantity of items packed into a container is correct. One such system has a conveyor suspended on a load cell which produces a signal indicative of the weight of the container on the conveyor. Each packed container passes over this weighing conveyor before reaching the end of the line so that the quantity of items packed in the container can be confirmed to be the desired quantity. For example, crisp or potato chip packets are commonly supplied in cardboard containers of 48 individual packets and each individual packet weighs 30 grams. Thus, the check weigher will know that the correct quantity of crisp packets have been packed into the cardboard container if the nett weight is equal to the product of 48 packets and 30 grams, i.e. 1.44 kilograms.
- However, each of these crisp packets has a weight tolerance of 1 gram. Thus, the cumulative tolerance of 48 packets of crisps means that the actual nett weight of the packed cardboard container is 1440 grams ± 48 grams. This deviation of 48 grams is greater than the weight of an individual packet and so there is a possibility that either containers may be shipped with one too many or one too few packets of crisps or alternatively containers with the correct number of individual packets are rejected. Hence, there is a need for a check weigher that can accurately determine the quantity of items packed into a container on an automatic production line.
- EP-A-0605164 describes a weight checker-sorter that successively weighs products each expected to contain a specified number of articles all weighing about the same, and uses a standard weight value (Wb) to determine whether weighed products each contains the intended number of articles.
- US-A-6396002 describes a method of and apparatus for monitoring the contents of containers such as cartons containing arrays of cigarette packets in which successive containers are supplied to a weighing device, the resultant weight signals being compared with a reference signal. If the difference between the two signals exceeds a preselected value then the respective container is expelled from the feed path.
- In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for determining the quantity of items in a container, each item having the same nominal weight located between upper and lower weight limits, the method comprising:
- a. defining a predetermined quantity, n, of items to be transferred in one cycle into a container, n being selected such that the product of (n+1) and the lower weight limit exceeds the product of n and the upper weight limit and such that the product of n and the lower weight limit exceeds the product of (n-1) and the upper weight limit, and attempting to transfer said predetermined quantity, n, of the items to the container ;
- b. measuring the weight of the actual quantity of items transferred to the container in step (a); and,
- c. dividing the value of the weight ascertained in step (b) by the nominal weight to determine the actual quantity of items transferred to the container in step (a).
- Thus, the invention provides a method for determining the quantity of items transferred to a container that is not affected by the cumulative weight tolerance of all the items that are transferred to the container.
- In a preferred embodiment, step (a) involves attempting to pack the predetermined quantity of the items in the container and step (b) involves measuring the weight of the actual quantity of items packed in the container in step (a).
- Normally, steps (a) to (c) are repeated until the sum of the predetermined quantities of step (a) of each repetition equals a specified quantity (typically corresponding to a "full" container). In this way, the method allows for determining the quantity of items packed into a container to be ascertained accurately and independently of the cumulative tolerance irrespective of the total quantity of items packed into the container.
- Typically, the weight of step (b) is measured using a check weigher and this will preferably form part of a production line. Such a production line will normally include an upstream packaging machine.
- In one example, the items packed in the container are packets of snack foods.
- If the actual quantity determined in step (c) is different from the predetermined quantity of step (a) then the container may be conveyed to a reject location, for example a reject conveyor belt.
- In such a case, if the actual quantity determined in step (c) is less than the predetermined quantity of step (a) then additional items may be packed in the container so that it does contain the predetermined quantity of items.
- Alternatively, if the actual quantity determined in step (c) is more than the predetermined quantity of step (a) then the surplus items may be removed from the container so that it contains the predetermined quantity of items.
- In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for determining the quantity of items in a container, each item having the same nominal weight located between upper and lower weight limits, the apparatus comprising:
- a. a transfer system adapted to attempt to transfer a predetermined quantity, n, of the items to the container in a single transfer cycle;
- b. a weighing system for measuring the weight of the actual quantity of items transferred to the container in step (a); and,
- c. a controller for receiving, from the weighing system, a signal indicating the value of the weight ascertained in step (b) and for dividing this value by the nominal weight to determine the actual quantity of items transferred to the container in step (a), characterised in that the predetermined quantity, n, is defined such that the product of (n+1) and the lower weight limit exceeds the product of n and the upper weight limit and such that the product of n and the lower weight limit exceeds the product of (n-1) and the upper weight limit.
- In one embodiment, the transfer system is a vacuum head and, in this case, the weighing system may be incorporated in the vacuum head.
- Alternatively, the weighing system may be incorporated in a conveyor system that supports the container in use.
- In another embodiment, the items are supplied to the transfer system by an infeed conveyor system for holding and conveying a group of items in a conveyance-direction, the infeed conveyor system comprising:
- a first conveyor, including
- a first roller,
- a first conveyance member wound around said first roller,
- a first items-group holder for conveying the group of items, said first items-group holder having a plurality of partition members that is connected to one another, and
- a first detaching/attaching mechanism disposed between said first conveyance member and said first items-group holder for detachably and reattachably coupling said first items-group holder to said first conveyance member.
- In this case, the transfer system transfers the group of items at the discharge position by pushing in a direction of the width of said first conveyance member.
- Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 shows a first embodiment in which a production line incorporates a check weigher for use with the invention;
- Figure 2 shows apparatus for diverting containers to be rejected from the production line;
- Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of an entire structure of a boxing line that utilizes a conveyance apparatus incorporating the present invention;
- Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the conveyance apparatus of Figure 1;
- Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of the upper side roller of the conveyance apparatus of Figure 1;
- Figure 6 is a perspective view that depicts the coupling structure of the partition members;
- Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the selected portion of the coupling structure as viewed from the arrow V-V in Figure 6;
- Figure 8 is a partially broken cross-sectional view of the selected portion of the conveyance apparatus as viewed from the arrow VI-VI in Figure 5, which depicts the detaching/attaching mechanism; and
- Figure 9 is a view of the control system of the boxing line.
- Figure 1 shows part of a production line used for packaging packets of snack foods, such as crisps. The production line comprises an infeed conveyor 1, a
weighing conveyor 2 and anoutfeed conveyor 3. The weighingconveyor 2 is supported onrollers support frame 20. This bears upon aload cell 21 which produces signals indicative of the weight suspended onconveyor 2 and supplies these to controller 22. - An empty container 5 ready for packing is held on infeed conveyor 1 whilst container 6 is packed as it is conveyed along weighing
conveyor 2. A fully packed container 7 is conveyed away from weighingconveyor 2 by outfeedconveyor 3. The packets of snack foods are packed into container 6 usingvacuum head 8 in a conventional way. - In this example, the packets of snack foods are crisp packets and the containers 5, 6, 7 are each intended to hold forty eight individual crisp packets. These packets have been filled by a packaging machine (not shown) controlled to ensure that each packet has a weight of 30 grams with a tolerance of ±1 gram.
-
Vacuum head 8 places eight packets of crisps into container 6 in one cycle. However, there is a possibility that too few packets will be packed by mistake. The quantity n of crisp packets packed into the container in one cycle byvacuum head 8 is selected such that the product of (n+1) and the lower weight limit of a crisp packet exceeds the product of n and the upper weight limit and such that the product of n and the lower weight limit of a crisp packet exceeds the product of (n-1) and the upper weight limit. - As previously mentioned, if all forty eight packets are packed into the container 6 before its weight is checked then it is not possible to determine whether a deviation of more than 30 grams from the correct net weight is due to the cumulative tolerance or due to there being one too few or one too many packets of crisps in the container.
- In this instance, the upper and lower weight limits are 31 and 29 grams respectively and so setting n equal to eight satisfies both of the above criteria.
- When the
vacuum head 8 has released the crisp packets into container 6, the weight of the container 6 is measured and loadcell 21 provides a signal indicative of this weight tocontroller 22.Controller 22 then divides the value of the weight of the crisp packets, allowing for the tare of container 6, by the nominal weight of a crisp packet (i.e. 30 grams). The actual quantity of crisp packets placed in the container byvacuum head 8 during that cycle can then be obtained by rounding the result of this division to the nearest integer. This cycle is repeated six times so that at the end of the process, container 6 should contain forty eight packets of crisps. - However, if during one of the six cycles only seven packets of crisps are loaded into container 6 then the
controller 22 can detect this. This can be done in one of two ways. Firstly thecontroller 22 can add together the actual quantities of crisp packets packed in container 6 during each cycle and indicate an error if this total does not equal forty eight after all six cycles have been completed. Alternatively, thecontroller 22 can indicate an error as soon as it detects that only seven packets have been packed in the current cycle. - In the event that
controller 22 indicates an error then container 6 can be diverted from the main production line. - Apparatus for enabling this is shown in Figure 2 in which the
outfeed conveyor 3 leads to amoveable conveyor 10 which can direct containers either toconveyor 11a which forms a continuation of the main production line, or to rejectconveyor 11b where the rejected containers can be dealt with appropriately.Moveable conveyor 10 is moved between its two positions usinghydraulic ram 12 which is actuated bycontroller 22. - In the first embodiment it is also possible, instead of supporting the weighing
conveyor 2 on aload cell 21, to support thevacuum head 8 on a load cell and measure the extra load on this when carrying packets. - In a second embodiment, a double loop conveyance apparatus is used. Such a conveyance apparatus is described in our European patent application, published as EP-A-1298079, which is herein incorporated by reference in it entirety.
- The second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In the following description, "front" and "rear" respectively refer to the lower-stream and upper-stream sides of the conveyance direction, while "left" and "right" respectively refer to the left and right sides relative to the conveyance direction.
- The
conveyance apparatus 101 is employed in a boxing line as shown in Figures 3 and 4. - This
boxing line 100 is for compactly boxing items X...X, which are preferably food items such as potato chips packaged in bags. Theboxing line 100 includes aloading conveyor 102, a discharge device (unloading apparatus) 103, and anunloading conveyor 104. Theloading conveyor 102 is disposed on the upper-stream side of theconveyance apparatus 101. Theloading conveyor 102 conveys items X...X from an apparatus on the further upper-stream side (for instance, a bag-manufacturing packaging apparatus) in a direction shown as arrow "a" and loads the items X...X onto theconveyance apparatus 101 at a loading position P1. Thedischarge device 103 is disposed on a side of the downstream side of theconveyance apparatus 101. Thedischarge device 103 discharges the items X...X, which are conveyed by theconveyance apparatus 101 in the direction shown as arrow "b," at the discharge position P2 in the direction shown as arrow "c" towards the other side of theconveyance apparatus 101. The unloadingconveyor 104 conveys cardboard boxes Y...Y, which are disposed on the side of the unloadingconveyor 104 and in which the discharged items X...X are boxed at the boxing position P3, further downstream as shown in the arrow "d." - First photoelectric sensors (example of detecting device) 105 are disposed near the end of the
loading conveyor 102 such that theloading conveyor 102 is in between the firstphotoelectric sensors 105. The firstphotoelectric sensors 105 detect the items X...X to be loaded onto theconveyance apparatus 101, and sends a detection signal to acontrol unit 161 shown in Figure 9. A guiding table 106 is placed on the discharge path of the items X...X between theconveyance apparatus 101 and the unloadingconveyor 104 to guide the items X...X into the cardboard boxes Y...Y. - The
conveyance apparatus 101 has a pair of first and second conveyors (conveyance member) 111 and 112, and a pair of first and second driving devices 111' and 112'. The first and second conveyors are disposed on the left and right sides so as to be parallel with the conveyance direction of the items X...X shown as arrow "b." Thefirst conveyor 111 has toothedrollers first conveyance belt 115 which is annular, toothed, and wound around therollers second conveyor 112 has toothedrollers second conveyance belt 118 which is annular, toothed, and wound around therollers - The first and second driving devices 111' and 112' are embodied by conventional devices such as motors. Since motors are well known in the art, these structures will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein. As driving force from the first and second driving devices 111' and 112' shown in Figure 9 is transmitted respectively to the
front rollers conveyance belts - A first items-
group holder 122 is detachably and reattachably coupled to thefirst conveyor belt 115 via a pair of detaching/attachingdevices group holder 122 has a predetermined number (6 in the figures) of L-shapedpartition members 121...121 that is disposed with a predetermined space therebetween. Thepartition members 121...121 are connected in series, with each of thepartition members 121 being disposed parallel with the conveyor-width direction. Similarly, a second items-group holder 123 is detachably and reattachably coupled to thesecond conveyor belt 118 via a pair of detaching/attachingdevices group holder 123 has a predetermined number (6 in the figures) of L-shapedpartition members 121...121 that is disposed with a predetermined space therebetween. Thepartition members 121...121 are connected in series, with each of thepartition members 121 being disposed parallel with the conveyor-width direction. - A predetermined number (5 in the figures) of
item holders 121'...121' are formed in betweenadjacent partition members 121...121, such that each of theitem holders 121'...121' can hold one item X. As will be described later, thepartition members 121...121 are sized conveyor-widthwise to bridge over both of theconveyor belts - The first items-
group holder 122 and the second items-group holder 123 have the same or similar structures. The coupling structure of thepartition members 121...121 will be described taking the latter as an example. - As shown in Figures 5-7, each
partition member 121 has the shape of letter L in the elevational view, with apartitioning surface portion 121a and abottom portion 121b that are sized to conform with the size of the item X to be conveyed. Thepartition members 121, except for the ones at front and rear ends, have a plurality ofcurved portions 121c...121c (3 on the front and 2 on the rear in the figures) formed at the front and rear of thebottom portions 121b. Thecurved portions 121c form an oval space that extends in the conveyor-width direction. Thepartition member 121 on the front end has twocurved portions 121c on its rear, while thepartition member 121 on the rear end has threecurved portions 121c on its front. The second items-group holder 123, in other words theitems holders 121'...121' is structured by the sixpartition members 121 that are connected as one unit via thecurved portions 121c...121c and a plurality of (five in the figures) hingemechanisms 126...126. Thehinge mechanism 126 includes apin 125 that penetrates the oval space of thecurved portions 121c...121c. - The detaching/attaching
device 124 will be described similarly taking the second items-group holder 123 as an example. - As shown in Figures 5 and 8, a detaching/attaching mechanism 124' is disposed in between the second items-
group holder 123 and thesecond conveyance belt 118. The detaching/attaching mechanism 124' includes two of the detaching/attachingdevices 124, each of which includes ahook member 131 and areceptacle 132. Thehook member 131 includes a plate spring that is fixed to the bottom surface of the second items-group holder 123, in other words the bottom surface of thebottom portion 121b of thepartition member 121. Thehook member 131 is elongated in the conveyor-width direction. Thereceptacle 132 is fixed to the upper surface of theconveyor belt 118, and is elongated in the conveyor-width direction. Thehook member 131 can be coupled to thereceptacle 132 by couplingside portions concave portions side portions hook member 131 in different shapes. Theconcave portions receptacle 132 differently so as to match the shapes of theside portions side portions concave portions left side portion 131a and the leftconcave portion 132a engage each other relatively shallowly, while theright side portion 131b and the rightconcave portion 132b engage each other relatively deeply. - Left half portions of the
partition members 121...121 extend above thefirst conveyor belt 115 without touching thefirst conveyor belt 115. The second items-group holder 123 is supported by the front and rear detaching/attachingdevices second conveyor belt 118 in a cantilever manner. - The only difference between the first items-
group holder 122 and the second items-group holder 123 is that the similar detaching/attachingdevices group holder 122 and thefirst conveyor belt 115. Accordingly, explanation of the first items-group holder 122 will be omitted. - As shown in Figures 3 and 4, second
photoelectric sensors 141 are placed at appropriate positions on the upstream side of theconveyance apparatus 101, such that theconveyors photoelectric sensors 141. The secondphotoelectric sensors 141 detect the number of thepartitioning surface portions 121a...121a or spaces between thepartitioning surface portions 121a...121a of thepartitioning members 121...121 formed in the items-group holders photoelectric sensors 141. - As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the
discharge device 103 has the shape of a comb, which can penetrate each of theitem holders 121'...121' of the items-group holders discharge device 103 includes apusher member 151 and anair cylinder 152. Thepusher member 151 pushes the items X...X held by each of theitem holders 121'...121' all at the same time. Theair cylinder 152 moves thepusher member 151 in a direction that is perpendicular to the conveyance path, in other words in the direction shown as "e" and "f." Thepusher member 151 can be alternatively driven by using a solenoid or a motor, instead of theair cylinder 152. - The control system of this boxing line is shown in Figure 9. This control system includes the control unit 161 (driving control means and memory means) that controls the boxing line overall. The
control unit 161 includes a CPU 161a that performs various calculation processes, and amemory 161b that stores initial configuration for each item and various control parameters. - The
control unit 161 preferably includes a microcomputer with a control program that controls the first and second driving devices 111' and 112' as discussed below. Thecontrol unit 161 can also include other conventional components such as an input interface circuit, an output interface circuit, and storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) device and a RAM (Random Access Memory) device. The memory circuit stores processing results and control programs such as ones for driving control operation that are run by the processor circuit. - As seen in Figure 9, the
control unit 161 is operatively coupled to the first and secondphotoelectric sensors loading conveyor 102, the first andsecond conveyors discharge device 103, and the unloadingconveyor 104. Thecontrol unit 161 is capable of selectively controlling any of the components of the control system in accordance with the control program. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the precise structure and algorithms for control system can be any combination of hardware and software that will carry out the functions of the present invention. - The CPU 161a outputs control signals to the
loading conveyor 102, the first andsecond conveyors discharge device 103, and the unloadingconveyor 104 to control driving of these devices. The CPU 161a receives inputs of detection signals from the first and secondphotoelectric sensors - The
memory 161b stores control parameters such as: the timing of the intermittent driving of the first andsecond conveyors photoelectric sensors 105 at the loading position P1 for each of the items X; the number of items X...X loaded per group; the conveyance speed and the conveyance time of the first andsecond conveyors pusher member 151 of thedischarge device 103; and the timings of the intermittent driving of the unloadingconveyor 104. Thememory 161b stores holding parameters such as the number of partitioning surface portions and the space between the partitioning surface portions for each of various models of the items-group holder. - Effects of the
conveyance apparatus 101 will now be described. - Referring to the conveyance operation, while the second items-
group holder 123 is adjacent to the loading position P1, the CPU 161a of thecontrol unit 161 drives thesecond conveyor belt 118 intermittently by a predetermined pitch, in other words by a space of theitem holder 121', based on the item detection signals from the firstphotoelectric sensors 105. In this case, theloading conveyor 102, which carries the items X...X, also operates intermittently. - In other words, once the item X is detected by the first
photoelectric sensors 105, thesecond conveyor belt 118 is stopped until a predetermined period of time elapses after the firstphotoelectric sensors 105 stop detecting items X. Once this predetermined period of time elapses, thesecond conveyor belt 118 operates only by a predetermined pitch. During this operation, theloading conveyor 102 is stopped. Next, when thesecond conveyor belt 118 stops, theloading conveyor 102 starts its operation. When five items X...X are supplied to the second items-group holder 123 by repeating these operations, theloading conveyor 102 stops. Then, theloading conveyor 102 repeats the aforedescribed operations when the first items-group holder 122 arrives. - In this manner, each of the
item holders 121'...121' of the second items-group holder 123 is provided with one of the items X...X, such that five items X...X are supplied to and held by theitem holders 121'...121' in the upright posture. - On the other hand, the first items-
group holder 122, which already holds five items X...X in itsitem holders 121'...121', arrives at the discharge position P2 after being conveyed by thefirst conveyor belt 115, and stops there. Then, as thepusher member 151 of thedischarge device 103 moves onto the conveyance path, the items X...X held in theitem holders 121'...121' are all pushed out. The items X...X are packed in the cardboard box Y compactly in the upright position at the boxing position P3 after passing the guiding table 106. (See the drawing in chain line in Figure 3.) The cardboard box Y is placed on the unloadingconveyor 104 so as to oppose thedischarge device 103 with theconveyance apparatus 101 therebetween. As the cardboard box Y, in which the predetermined number of items X...X are packed, is conveyed downstream by the unloadingconveyor 104, a new empty cardboard box Y is conveyed from upstream, and stops at the position opposing thedischarge device 103. - Once its
item holders 121'...121' are emptied, the first items-group holder 122 starts moving toward the loading position P1 on thefirst conveyor belt 115. - After the first items-
group holder 122 leaves the discharge position P2, the second items-group holder 123, which has items X...X in itsitem holders 121' ...121' arrives at the discharge position P2. Then, the items X...X are discharged from the second items-group holder 123 in the same manner as described above regarding the first items-group holder 122. In the mean time, the first items-group holder 122 receives the items X...X at the loading position P1, in the same manner as described above regarding the second items-group holder 123. - In this manner, the
first conveyor 111 and thesecond conveyor 112, in other words thefirst conveyor belt 115 and thesecond conveyor belt 118 are driven independently. While items X...X are discharged from the first items-group holder 122 or the second items-group holder 123 at the discharge position P2, the second items-group holder 123 or the first items-group holder 122 can receive items X...X from theloading conveyor 102 at the loading position P1. By repeating such operations intermittently, it is possible to perform the conveyance of items X...X at a high speed. - Since the
partition members 121...121 that form the items-group holders partition members 121...121 stand upright relative to the conveyor surface. Accordingly, there is no need for a complicated mechanism to support the items X...X in the upright position. Therefore, the structure of the conveyance apparatus can be kept simple, and its design can be simplified. - Also, the
partition members 121...121 are connected to one another by connecting thebottom portion 121b...121b with one another via thehinge mechanisms 126...126. Therefore, the items-group holders conveyor belts conveyor belts partition surface portions 121a...121a, which are connected via thehinge mechanisms 126...126, expand. Accordingly, the items X...X can be loaded from theloading conveyor 102 onto the items-group holders - The
partition members 121...121 are connected as one unit via a plurality ofhinge mechanisms 126...126, which includes thecurved portions 121c...121c and thepins 125 that extend through the oval tubular spaces of thecurved portions 121c...121c. Thesepartition members 121...121 are movable in the conveyance direction relative to each other. Therefore, the items-group holders conveyor belts group holders conveyor belts conveyor belts - Furthermore, since the detaching/attaching
devices 124 are installed, it is easy to detach and reattach the items-group holders conveyor belts devices group holders partition members 121...121 (six in this embodiment), it is much easier to detach and attach the items-group holders than the case where each of thepartition members 121...121 needs to be individually attached to and detached from the conveyor belts. - Referring to the second items-
group holder 123 in Figure 8 as an example, the second items-group holder 123 can be attached to thesecond conveyor belt 118 easily by coupling theright side portion 131b of thehook member 131, which is a plate spring, and the rightconcave portion 132b of thereceptacle 132 deeply first, and then coupling theleft side portion 131a of thehook member 131 and the leftconcave portion 132a of thereceptacle 132, pushing the second items-group holder 123 from above. On the other hand, when the second items-group holder 123 needs to be detached from thesecond conveyor belt 118, the second items-group holder 123 is first pulled up to disengage the engagement of theleft side portion 131a of thehook member 131 and the leftconcave portion 132a of thereceptacle 132a. Then, theright side portion 131b of thehook member 131 and the rightconcave portion 132b of thereceptacle 132 can be disengaged from each other. - Alternatively, the
left side portion 131a of thehook member 131 and the leftconcave portion 132a of thereceptacle 132 can have the same or similar structure as theright side portion 131b and the rightconcave portion 132b. In this manner, thereceptacle 132 is clamped tightly by thehook member 131 on both of its conveyor-width direction sides. Therefore, even during high-speed operation, theholder 123 can be supported by theconveyor belt 118 securely against the centrifugal force that occurs where theconveyor belt 118 turns around. - Referring to Figures 3, 4, and 9, when the type of items is changed, the items-
group holders photoelectric sensors 141, to detect the holding parameters of the items-group holders - Once the detection signals are inputted from the
photoelectric sensors 141 to the CPU 161a, the CPU 161a retrieves from the database stored in thememory 161b the control parameter that matches the detection signal. Then, the CPU 161a outputs driving control signals to related apparatuses such as theloading conveyor 102, thedischarge device 103, the unloadingconveyor 104, and the first andsecond conveyors second conveyor belts loading conveyor 102 moves from the loading position P1 and at which theconveyor belts - In this manner, the
conveyance apparatus 101 is driven under conditions that are adequate for the new items-group holders. That way, operation of theconveyance apparatus 101 can be automated even further. - In this embodiment, the unloading
conveyor 104 is supported on its own support frame (not shown) which bears upon a respective load cell (not shown). In this way, the unloadingconveyor 104 of the second embodiment is supported in an identical manner to the weighingconveyor 2 of the first embodiment and operation of the load cells is identical.
Claims (16)
- A method for determining the quantity of items in a container (6), each item having the same nominal weight located between upper and lower weight limits, the method comprising:a. defining a predetermined quantity, n, of items to be transferred in one cycle into a container, n being selected such that the product of (n+1) and the lower weight limit exceeds the product of n and the upper weight limit and such that the product of n and the lower weight limit exceeds the product of (n-1) and the upper weight limit, and attempting to transfer said predetermined quantity, n, of the items to the container (6);b. measuring the weight of the actual quantity of items transferred to the container in step (a); and,c. dividing the value of the weight ascertained in step (b) by the nominal weight to determine the actual quantity of items transferred to the container in step (a).
- A method according to claim 1, wherein steps (a) to (c) are repeated until the sum of the predetermined quantities of step (a) of each repetition equals a specified quantity.
- A method according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the weight of step (b) is measured using a check weigher.
- A method according to claim 3, wherein the check weigher is part of a production line.
- A method according to claim 4, wherein the production lines includes an upstream packaging machine.
- A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the items are packets of snack foods.
- A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein if the actual quantity determined in step (c) is different from the predetermined quantity of step (a) then the container is conveyed to a reject location.
- A method according to claim 7, wherein the reject location is a reject conveyor belt.
- A method according to either of claims 7 or 8, wherein if the actual quantity determined in step (c) is less than the predetermined quantity of step (a) then additional items are packed in the container so that it does contain the predetermined quantity of items.
- A method according to either of claims 7 or 8, wherein if the actual quantity determined in step (c) is more than the predetermined quantity of step (a) then the surplus items are removed from the container so that it contains the predetermined quantity of items.
- Apparatus for determining the quantity of items in a container, each item having the same nominal weight located between upper and lower weight limits, the apparatus comprising:a. a transfer system (8) adapted to attempt to transfer a predetermined quantity, n, of the items to the container (6) in a single transfer cycle;b. a weighing system (21) for measuring the weight of the actual quantity of items transferred to the container (6) in step (a); and,c. a controller (22) for receiving, from the weighing system, a signal indicating the value of the weight ascertained in step (b) and for dividing this value by the nominal weight to determine the actual quantity of items transferred to the container in step (a), characterised in that the predetermined quantity, n, is defined such that the product of (n+1) and the lower weight limit exceeds the product of n and the upper weight limit and such that the product of n and the lower weight limit exceeds the product of (n-1) and the upper weight limit.
- Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the transfer system is a vacuum head (8).
- Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the weighing system is incorporated in the vacuum head (8).
- Apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the weighing system (21) is incorporated in a conveyor system that supports the container in use.
- Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the items are supplied to the transfer system (8) by an infeed conveyor system (1) for holding and conveying a group of items in a conveyance-direction, the infeed conveyor system comprising:a first conveyor, includinga first roller,a first conveyance member wound around said first roller,a first items-group holder for conveying the group of items, said first items-group holder having a plurality of partition members that is connected to one another, anda first detaching/attaching mechanism disposed between said first conveyance member and said first items-group holder for detachably and reattachably coupling said first items-group holder to said first conveyance member.
- Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the transfer system (8) transfers the group of items at the discharge position by pushing in a direction of the width of said first conveyance member.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB0229270.4A GB0229270D0 (en) | 2002-12-16 | 2002-12-16 | Weight checking method |
GB0229270 | 2002-12-16 | ||
PCT/GB2003/005475 WO2004055486A1 (en) | 2002-12-16 | 2003-12-16 | Weight checking method and apparatus |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1573283A1 EP1573283A1 (en) | 2005-09-14 |
EP1573283B1 true EP1573283B1 (en) | 2007-02-14 |
Family
ID=9949760
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP03786119A Expired - Lifetime EP1573283B1 (en) | 2002-12-16 | 2003-12-16 | Weight checking method and apparatus |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7361850B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1573283B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003295118A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60311870T2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0229270D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004055486A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050171854A1 (en) * | 2004-01-30 | 2005-08-04 | Lyon Geoff M. | Load sensing inventory tracking method and system |
CN201804348U (en) * | 2010-09-26 | 2011-04-20 | 传力电子衡器(南京)有限公司 | Automatic weighing and counting management system for warehouse material |
AU2016206582B2 (en) * | 2015-01-16 | 2020-09-24 | Heat & Control, Inc. | Method of controlling a rate at which an upstream process feeds a conditioned product to a downstream process |
US11544763B2 (en) | 2020-01-31 | 2023-01-03 | Walmart Apollo, Llc | Systems and methods for prediction of item quantity |
JP7479769B2 (en) | 2020-09-29 | 2024-05-09 | 大和製衡株式会社 | Combination weigher |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4164260A (en) * | 1978-01-23 | 1979-08-14 | Mira-Pak, Inc. | Method and apparatus for controlling the average weights of commodities in package form |
US4645019A (en) * | 1980-07-01 | 1987-02-24 | Kabushiki Kaisha Ishida Koki Seisakusho | Method of weighting and counting |
JPS5759121A (en) * | 1980-09-25 | 1982-04-09 | Ishida Scales Mfg Co Ltd | Counting method |
JPS58124918A (en) * | 1982-01-22 | 1983-07-25 | Ishida Scales Mfg Co Ltd | Weighing method |
US4512428A (en) * | 1983-05-05 | 1985-04-23 | K-Tron International, Inc. | Weighing apparatus and method |
GB8813399D0 (en) * | 1988-06-07 | 1988-07-13 | Percell Group Ltd | Method & apparatus for determining number/value of weighed items |
JP3247467B2 (en) * | 1992-12-29 | 2002-01-15 | 株式会社イシダ | Weight sorter |
DE19939669A1 (en) * | 1999-08-20 | 2001-02-22 | Topack Verpacktech Gmbh | Device for determining the completeness of a container |
-
2002
- 2002-12-16 GB GBGB0229270.4A patent/GB0229270D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2003
- 2003-12-16 EP EP03786119A patent/EP1573283B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-12-16 AU AU2003295118A patent/AU2003295118A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-12-16 US US10/539,258 patent/US7361850B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-12-16 DE DE60311870T patent/DE60311870T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-12-16 WO PCT/GB2003/005475 patent/WO2004055486A1/en active IP Right Grant
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2004055486A1 (en) | 2004-07-01 |
GB0229270D0 (en) | 2003-01-22 |
DE60311870T2 (en) | 2007-11-22 |
DE60311870D1 (en) | 2007-03-29 |
AU2003295118A1 (en) | 2004-07-09 |
US7361850B2 (en) | 2008-04-22 |
US20060180357A1 (en) | 2006-08-17 |
EP1573283A1 (en) | 2005-09-14 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6866140B2 (en) | Conveyance apparatus and boxing system | |
EP2693175B1 (en) | Combination scale | |
EP0348077B1 (en) | Device for automatically filling and packing predetermined weight of product in containers | |
EP0806638B1 (en) | Combination weighing method and combination balance | |
JP3088751B2 (en) | Combination weighing device with tare weight reduction | |
JPH0521169B2 (en) | ||
JPWO2008038598A1 (en) | Boxing and packaging equipment | |
EP1573283B1 (en) | Weight checking method and apparatus | |
JP5363099B2 (en) | Weighing equipment and weighing method | |
EP1846736B1 (en) | Transport system | |
JPH0240505Y2 (en) | ||
JP2008537124A (en) | Packing machine | |
JP2000000525A (en) | Weight measuring method, article sorting apparatus, and product sorting method | |
JP3488069B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for supplying and filling soup and ingredients into instant noodles in a cup conveyed in a row | |
JPH104816A (en) | Apparatus for selecting and collecting chicken egg or the like | |
JPH01213110A (en) | Method and apparatus for selectively packaging egg and egg receiver | |
KR200440890Y1 (en) | Article feeding device | |
CN210618682U (en) | On-line measuring material feeding unit | |
CN217250730U (en) | Korean ginseng sorting device that weighs | |
JP3687820B2 (en) | Combination weighing method and combination weigher | |
JP3617863B2 (en) | Combination scale | |
JP2003261111A (en) | Article weighing and feeding device | |
JP2017132514A (en) | Metering packing inspection system | |
JPH09178542A (en) | Weighing system | |
JPH04126130U (en) | Device to prevent items from stacking on weighing equipment |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20050707 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL LT LV MK |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 60311870 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20070329 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20071115 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 13 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20221019 Year of fee payment: 20 Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20221010 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20221111 Year of fee payment: 20 Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20221027 Year of fee payment: 20 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20221018 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230525 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R071 Ref document number: 60311870 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MK Effective date: 20231215 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: PE20 Expiry date: 20231215 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION Effective date: 20231215 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION Effective date: 20231215 |